MOON OPERATION

[askimball (Doc)]

Just curious
I'm still in the process of refurbishing/cleaning my #1 Star

I bought a Moon Indexer from Ray

I've studied the video and still can't figure out what activates the Indexer

I mounted it to the base without the Head, Is that what activates the Indexer..

I'm sure it's something simple, but it escapes me..

[ARTINCT]

There is a ROLLER at the top of the indexer which RIDES ATOP the machine head.
The machine head, when ascending touches the roller causing upward pressure on the arm,
which in turn, causes the index arm to move from left to right and push the case in the FULL LENGTH
station to the priming and belling station.

Just install it, quite simple and it works really well.
You may need to adjust the upper nut/bolt junction to expand or limit the index arm movement.
The taller = less movement, shorter = more movement.
You want you case to end up right above the primer belling station, not short of it or beyond it.

Once it is set up, it does not drift or require further adjustment other than take down during
machine head swaps and the typical 1000 round cleanup and dusting of the deck and dies.
I use an artist's brush and dust the slide mechanism with graphite for lubrication.
Seems to work well....

[askimball (Doc)]

Thanks Art
VERY HELPFUL !
You mention " take down during head swaps and typical 1000 round cleanup, etc. "
Is this absolutely necessary. ? Wouldn't the Head be above the Indexer in its Up position.??
Thank you again Art..!!
Doc -

[askimball (Doc)]

ART, nevermind, I didn't read the first line very carefully....!! So with that in mind, you install the Indexer with the head in the DOWN Position....
Sorry to disturb...

[ARTINCT]

Yes, you install the indexer with the head in the down position.  I would have no powder or primers in the
loader during installation.  Make sure you have your correct wrenches all at the ready to adjust the upper
nuts for the roller.  As an aside, what I do with all of my Moon Units is to insert a spent 380 Auto case just
under the base of the Moon indexer.  This case is the perfect exact height to shim up the Moon Unit in
perfect plum while you adjust the upper arm nuts and bolts.  I then just leave that 380 Auto case there
as it keeps the unit from ever tipping out while you tighten the two front bolts or screws of the Moon Unit
base thru the base of the STAR and onto your mounting surface.

I have suggested to Ray, that he should perhaps add such a spacer to the Moon Unit base but the
commonly found 380 Auto case is a simple aid.

As for the cleaning, Yes I feel that once you have loaded 1000 rounds, it is time to take down the STAR,
blow and wipe out the fine powder and brass residue and graphite lube the primer slide, clean the index
ball and generally make sure the primer slide is clean and the primer die screw is tight.  Keeping the
STAR clean and tidy is a good thing.  I also put a dab of 30W oil in the two oil holes at top of the crank shaft
bearing, also put a tiny dab of white grease on the #49U Angle Cam where it touches the #48 Primer Slide Angle Lever.

I wipe down the main shaft and groove and lube it with some 30W oil and also the #65 Lower Link Pin and the #63 Links
where they connect to the #60 Crank Shaft arms.

The upper deck of the of the #12U Steel Floor Base is blown clean and wiped down to make sure any loose powder
is cleared.  I pay attention to the two rollers on the powder bar to make sure they are free wheeling and use some
fine oil to lube them.  I also check the detents on the #30 Powder Slide Cam to insure they are clean and cause the
powder bar to vibrate.

This is all good maintenance advice... and keeps your STAR in tip top shape as well as refreshing your skills in
take down and re-assembly.  The STAR, after a few of these 1K strip and cleans will reward you with countless hours and
rounds of excellent operation.

[askimball (Doc)]

Art
CONFUSED
If the Indexer is bolted down on the #11 Aluminum base, why do you need the 380 case.. It shouldn't move (Moon base).......
Doc  -

[rangedog]

G'day Art,

I'm curious too, getting the moon unit in place is a little tricky so I can undersand why you've come up with the 38auto case shim arrangement.
Can't quite work out what you are doing with the case though and would really like to know, any chance of a pic?

Thanks
Geoff

[ARTINCT]

Art
CONFUSED
If the Indexer is bolted down on the #11 Aluminum base, why do you need the 380 case.. It shouldn't move (Moon base).......
Doc  -

Before you tighten down the two mounting screws or bolts, it moves around ALOT.
You also should have the unit PLUM.
The 380 Auto case is like having a third hand.  It keeps the MOON plum while you are tightening it down.
I will post a pic as soon as I have uploaded it to my web server.
Here you will see a picture of the 380 auto case stuck between the moon unit base and the
upper surface of my bench.  This keeps the MOON unit indexer perfectly plum and aligned
before you tighten it down and also let it stay in place after tightening the two bolts.

In addition, prior to useing the case, probably thru fault of my own, I did have a MOON unit
indexer begin to tilt outwards ever so slightly over a period of time.  The issue was that the mounting bolts were
not fully tightened or had loosened up.  So now I use lock washers in the securing process (under the bench).

I am sure many MOON unit users do not use the 380 Auto case trick.  However I found it
invaluable as a third hand while setting the indexer up and during adjustment and subsequent operation.

[rangedog]

Great tip, thanks Art.

[askimball (Doc)]

NOW WE KNOW, Said G.I. Joe 

THANKS Art, VERY HELPFUL

[flhtc]

I thought I was the only one using .380 cases to support my moon indexers. They really do help stabilize the unit.

[LeupoldMRK4]

I use the 380 case under mine now ... it works great.  I don't really want to torque down hard on the mount bolts( in fear of cracking base) and without the 380 dies under there the Moon unit moves a little after a while. If it leans in or out it throws off the stroke on the index fork.  Any way it works for me

[askimball (Doc)]

I took a L shaped piece of aluminum and machined it to
fit at the edge of the Aluminum Base..Permentally
This should keep Fumbling around with shell casings....
Hope this works........